Day 3–ALA Councilor’s Report

Yesterday was a very busy day. After the Council meeting I went to a Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR) meeting. I have served on this committee for four years and enjoy it very much. HRDR is the ALA office in charge of recruitment, job services, placement, the emerging leaders program, scholarships, and grants. We are an advisory committee and spent much of the meeting discussing activities of the office. We also looked at some very positive changes that HRDR is making to their job search services. An increase in the office budget will allow them to offer more direction, individual counseling to job hunters. Office Director, Lorelle Swader, shared with us a plan for the change in service which includes more direct services as well as improved follow-up to job seekers.

Following the HRDR meeting I went to a Chapter Councilors Forum where over 30 chapter councilors shared news from their states. For a large part of the meeting we talked about the Task Force Report that I linked to yesterday. We also discussed what states are doing about their annual conferences. At any meeting at which I have the opportunity I tell people about the success we are having with our one-day, college campus based conference.

I am now in Council III where we are rapidly passing resolutions brought forth by the committee on legislation. Resolution to Continue Opposition to the Use of Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act and the Use of National Security Letters to Violate Reader Privacy, Resolution on Government Printing Office FY2012 Appropriations, Resolution to Increase Funding for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program, Resolution to Include Libraries in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) all passed easily. All of these resolutions will be available on the ALA website soon.

After discussion about a report on ALA Council effectiveness we also took up some resolutions about procedures with the ALA organization. The final Council adjourned at 11:30 and, now, I am on vacation, but don’t hesitate to contact me with concerns or questions.

(This post will not have links but as soon as WordPress lets me do more than a quick press I will add them)

Nancy Wilson
Vermont Chapter Councilor
readmorenow@gmail.com